Does an outdoor kitchen increase your home's value? Here's what you need to know

You're considering an outdoor kitchen, but secretly asking yourself: will this add value when I sell my house later? It's a logical question, because a Roostr outdoor kitchen is an investment that feels comparable to a new indoor kitchen or bathroom.

The good news: a high-quality outdoor kitchen is among the garden investments with the strongest return on value upon sale. Real estate agents and appraisers see it as a value-enhancing element, and in the premium segment, outdoor space is increasingly a decisive criterion for buyers. But as with any investment, the details determine how much value truly remains.

In this blog, we share what we've learned about this topic in all our years at Roostr. From concrete ROI percentages to the pitfalls you'll want to avoid.

How much value does an outdoor kitchen add to your home?

Let's start with the question everyone wants to hear: how much of your investment do you get back when you sell?

The financial Return on Investment (ROI) of an outdoor kitchen typically ranges between 30% and 80%. This means that when you sell your home, you recoup a large part of the costs incurred. However, the greatest return lies in the living enjoyment, the additional living space, and the value of your own lifestyle.

Based on our market experience, we observe the following indicative ROI for garden investments:

This means that an investment of €15,000 in an outdoor kitchen yields an average increase in value of €4,500 to €12,000 upon sale. This is significantly stronger than, for example, a swimming pool, which many buyers consider an additional expense due to maintenance.

Important to know: these percentages are averages. The actual effect depends on the model, quality, presentation, and the type of home the kitchen is associated with.

Which model adds the most value?

At Roostr, we offer three models, and all three have a different impact on the resale value of your home.

Allure and Wave: usually remain in place

The Allure and Wave are larger, more prominent outdoor kitchens that are often permanently installed. They feature thickened countertops, integrated LED lighting, and a more luxurious appearance. Because these models are not moved, they usually remain in the garden upon sale. They directly increase the value of the outdoor space and thus the overall value of the house.

These are the models where the ROI is highest: from 30% to 80%, depending on the type of property and market.

Rubix: sometimes taken, sometimes left behind

The Rubix is modular and sometimes mobile. Customers often choose Rubix precisely for its flexibility and sometimes take it with them to their next home. If you want the kitchen to contribute to the sales value, it's wise to decide at the time of purchase whether it will be moved or left behind. In the latter case, the new owner gets a valuable showpiece.

What makes an outdoor kitchen add value?

Not every outdoor kitchen positively impacts your selling price. These four factors determine whether your investment pays off.

1. Durable, weatherproof materials
A potential buyer doesn't want to feel like they'll have to reinvest in five years. Stainless steel frames, three-layer powder coating, and Dekton countertops immediately exude quality and instill confidence for the long term. A Roostr that is ten years old but well-maintained still looks high-quality.

2. Timeless design that matches the house
Buyers need to be able to imagine themselves living there. An outdoor kitchen with a neutral appearance that complements the style of the home appeals to many more buyers than an overly personal or trendy variant.

3. Functional completeness
An outdoor kitchen that offers everything in one place—cooking, cooling, washing, storing—is more attractive than a loose setup. It feels like a well-thought-out space, not an option added later.

4. Professional, integrated installation
An outdoor kitchen that looks as if it has always been there inspires confidence. Connection to the patio paving, coordination with the canopy or garden furniture, and professional placement make the difference between a luxury element and a separate purchase.

And when does an outdoor kitchen NOT add value?

To be fair: there are situations where an outdoor kitchen can be counterproductive when selling. These are the pitfalls you want to avoid.

• Visible quality issues. Rust formation, discolored coatings, or broken parts make buyers doubt the condition of the rest of the house.

• Outdated or overly personal design. Bright colors or pronounced styling limit the buyer pool. Neutral choices perform better in the long run.

• Disproportionate to the garden. A large, cluttered setup in a small garden feels stifling. A single module in a spacious garden feels incomplete. Scale must be right.

• Poorly maintained. Greasy appliances, discolored countertops, and neglected finishes undermine the entire experience.

At Roostr, we advise clients on this from day one. We create 3D drawings precisely scaled to your existing garden, ensuring that scale and style are correct, and we assist with timeless color and material choices if resale ever becomes a consideration.

What makes buyers say 'yes' to an outdoor kitchen?

During a viewing, potential buyers are not looking for square meters. They are looking for a feeling. The feeling of: I want to live here.

A complete, high-quality outdoor kitchen provides exactly that feeling. Buyers don't just see a kitchen. They see summer evenings with friends, a Sunday with the family, Christmas brunch under the canopy. A place where life happens. That is difficult to create with a floor plan and some photos of empty rooms.

One of our customers aptly described it: "It's truly a showpiece in your garden." That reaction doesn't disappear when there's a real estate sign in the front yard.

In the premium housing segment, outdoor space is increasingly a decisive criterion. Buyers expect a complete living environment, both indoors and outdoors. A Roostr outdoor kitchen immediately makes the promise of that outdoor space tangible, at the moment it matters most.

In which neighborhoods and regions does an outdoor kitchen add the most value?

An outdoor kitchen adds value everywhere, but the effect is stronger in certain markets.

Neighborhoods with luxury homes and larger gardens typically see the highest appreciation effect. In these segments, buyers expect a complete outdoor living experience. If it's missing, it stands out.

Regions where outdoor living has a strong tradition, such as the south of the Netherlands, garden cities, and villa districts, value outdoor kitchens above average. Not necessarily because they attract more buyers there, but because buyers in those markets are willing to pay concretely more for them.

We also see a nice effect in urban rooftop terrace situations, especially with Rubix. Its mobility and compactness make it ideally suited, and in scarce outdoor space, every square meter counts double.

How to maximize the return on your investment

Do you want your outdoor kitchen to contribute maximally to the sales value of your home? These three tips make the difference.

Tip 1: Choose timeless over trendy 

Neutral colors appeal to the broadest group of buyers. Taupe, charcoal, anthracite, and natural tones perform better than striking colors. The same applies to countertops: marble look and concrete look are timeless, while pronounced patterns go out of style faster.

Tip 2: Opt for integrated placement 

The more the kitchen appears to be part of the overall garden, the stronger the effect on resale. Coordinate the placement with the patio paving, the canopy, and the garden furniture. Get advice from your landscaper or from us about suitable combinations.

Tip 3: Maintain consciously and keep proof 

A clean, well-maintained kitchen exudes quality. Carefully keep your purchase invoice, warranty certificates, and maintenance guidelines. When selling, you can pass these on to the buyer, which immediately inspires confidence in appraisers and potential bidders.

Presentation during viewings

Are you selling soon? Then it pays to look at your outdoor kitchen through the "viewing lens."

Make sure the kitchen looks its best. Clean the appliances visibly, set out a cutting board with fresh herbs, place a bottle of good wine on the countertop. These small details immediately activate the feeling buyers are looking for: I'd want to cook here, I'd want to entertain guests here.

It's important that the surrounding outdoor area also matches the aesthetic. A beautiful outdoor kitchen in a neglected garden is counterproductive. Buyers sense that dissonance and are put off.

There's no need to actually show the outdoor kitchen in use during viewings. No one does that with an indoor kitchen, and it can even be distracting. However, during an open house, it's a great opportunity to use the kitchen. The aroma and atmosphere then contribute to that decisive feeling.

The practical side: WOZ (property value), appraisal, and insurance

Just the formal side, because we regularly get questions about this.

WOZ and appraisal A mobile outdoor kitchen usually falls under movable household contents and does not need to be declared for WOZ. If the kitchen is permanently attached to your house (fixed gas or water connection, founded or bricked), an appraiser can include it as real estate. This often happens with Allure and Wave.

Insurance A Roostr outdoor kitchen represents an acquisition value of €6,000 to €40,000 or more, and usually falls under the building insurance (if permanently connected to the house) or contents insurance (as movable property). Many insurers have a limit for outdoor objects. Check if the value is within the coverage, and report the purchase if necessary. Sometimes an additional clause for "garden landscaping and objects" is advisable. Always coordinate this with your own insurer.

Why a Roostr retains its value

Not every outdoor kitchen retains its value equally well. These are the reasons why a Roostr does.

Lifespan of 20 to 40 years
Stainless steel, galvanized steel, three-layer powder coating, and Dekton countertops are made to last for decades. While cheaper alternatives visibly age after 1 to 5 years, a Roostr still looks high-quality after ten years.

10-year warranty on material and construction
Transferable to a subsequent owner. This is a concrete selling point during viewings.

Modularity
A new owner can customize the Rubix to their preferences: add a module, choose a different countertop, install extra cabinets. With Allure and Wave, the size is fixed, but here too, various elements of the kitchen can be adjusted as desired. This adaptability also makes a Roostr an attractive proposition for a future buyer.

Timeless Dutch design
Designed and CO₂-neutral produced in the Netherlands. That Dutch craftsmanship is what customers are proud of and what buyers recognize as quality.

In summary

A high-quality outdoor kitchen adds between 30 and 80% of its investment value to your home upon sale. It is therefore one of the strongest performing garden investments. The effect is greatest with permanently installed models (Allure and Wave), in more luxurious residential areas, and with timeless material and color choices.

But adding value to your home is actually a side effect. The real benefit lies in the years you enjoy it yourself. In the summer evenings with friends, Sundays with the family, and Christmas dinners you spend in your garden instead of in a restaurant. That your investment largely pays for itself when you sell is a nice bonus.

Curious what a Roostr would do in your garden?

We'd be happy to discuss it with you. In our Roostr Studio in Capelle aan den IJssel, you'll receive personal advice, one-on-one and without rushing. We'll create a 3D drawing precisely scaled to your existing garden, so you can see exactly how the kitchen will look in your space. And how it will continue to add value over the years. To your life and to your home.

Make your appointment directly.